What is PERT in Project Management?

A PERT chart is a project management tool that shows the chronology of a project graphically. The individual activities of the project are separated into categories for examination, using the Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT). 

 

Because they show task interdependence, PERT charts are sometimes seen as better than Gantt charts, albeit they are frequently more challenging to understand.

 

PERT charts were developed for the first time by U.S. Navy's Special Projects Office in the 1950s to direct the construction of the Polaris nuclear submarine. PERT charts employ nodes, which are circles or rectangles, to indicate project milestones or occurrences. 

 

Vectors, or lines, that represent various tasks connect these nodes. Managers can assess the amount of time and resources needed to manage a project using a PERT chart.

 

Using a PERT chart, a project manager may examine a project's tasks and determine how long it will take to accomplish each job. The project manager may calculate the least amount of time needed to finish the entire project using this information. 

 

The manager may use this data to create a project budget and identify the resources required to complete the project.

 

PERT charts employ nodes, which are circles or rectangles, to show project milestones or occurrences. Lines or vectors that represent different jobs connect these nodes. Dependent tasks are those that call for a certain approach to be taken.

 

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What is PERT in Project Management?

 

One of the planning tools used in project management is called PERT, or Program Evaluation and Review Technique. It takes extensive knowledge and estimation to complete any job, especially one that is difficult. 

 

Within a specific project, details may include task scheduling, grouping, and coordination. Calculating estimates is the core concept of PERT, particularly time estimates. 

 

Project managers frequently employ the PERT approach to determine the ‌time needed to complete a particular activity within a project. Based on time projections, PERT provides its results.

 

They provide three-time estimates. Optimistic and pessimistic are two words that describe them. An optimistic estimate shows the quickest time in which a certain work can finish. 

 

Most likely help determine the interval between the maximum and minimum. The key to being pessimistic is predicting the longest possible time needed to perform each activity.

 

How does PERT work?

 

Project managers frequently use the PERT planning tool to get a sense of how long and how much money they should budget for different kinds of projects. It is a system of arrows and boxes with numbers. 

 

Numbered boxes that are also known as nodes reflect project events within a project. These containers come in both circular and rectangular shapes.

 

These nodes are connected by labeled lines that indicate various types of work carried out as part of a certain sort of project. The order of the tasks is shown by arrows, and the time given is shown by numbers. 

 

For the PERT approach to work, the tasks must be completed in the correct order, and all team members must adhere to this order.

 

Tasks that are connected by concurrent arrows are interdependent, and you can't go on without finishing them. Diverging sets of arrows signify separate tasks that aren't connected to any of the other activities. Diverging arrows between tasks indicate that they can be finished concurrently.

 

Dependent tasks are an exception to this rule. An excellent way for a project manager and their team to assess risks and timelines for the entire project is to create a PERT chart. 

 

PERT uses graphical representations of the data and timetable, which makes it simple for the members and project managers to understand.

 

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How to create PERT in Project Management?

 

1. Point out tasks and activities

 

You should be aware of the tasks, events, and other sorts of activities that are needed in your project in order to construct a successful and effective PERT chart. For you to develop a PERT chart, you need to be aware of all the broad and detailed data regarding your project.

 

Describe and list all of the tasks that are involved in your project, both dependent and independent. Mention the specifics these duties require. You will be able to determine which jobs are the most significant by providing these specifics.

 

Additionally, you want to be aware of which duties are related and which are not. You need to have a thorough grasp of the procedures your project will go through in order to create a PERT chart. 

 

Don't forget to include your project's milestone and end aim. This will offer you a clear sense of what you must complete for your project to be successful.

 

2. Focus on Sequence

 

Make sure you understand the proper order of your activities and events before creating a PERT chart for project management. When constructing a PERT chart for project management, accurately specify the sequence.

 

If you are unable to determine the proper order of your jobs, you will not be able to create a PERT chart. Your project will suffer as a result, and you won't be able to pinpoint where it all began.

 

3. Create different nodes, and arrows

 

Be careful to design several nodes and arrows when creating a PERT chart for project management. Make careful to include all of the events in the sketched nodes. The indicated lines connect these various nodes together. Tasks for the project are represented by labeled lines.

 

Be careful to depict both concurrent and divergent arrows. Make sure you are aware of the tasks that need to be accomplished in what order before creating a PERT chart for project management.

 

4. Critical path

 

Make sure you understand how to determine the key path of your project if you want to effectively develop a PERT chart in project management. It is necessary to successfully complete the aforementioned steps in order to calculate the critical path. 

 

You won't be able to determine your project's critical route without completing these stages. You'll have a clear concept of how to finish your job in the allowed time if you've followed the above instructions. 

 

This makes it simple to identify the crucial path, which is also the longest path necessary for your project to be finished.

 

Make sure you are aware of any issues, dangers, and uncertainties associated with your selected course of action before creating a PERT chart for project management. 

 

Additionally, be careful to draw attention to your paths, especially the one you're debating. Later on, this will save both time and work.

 

Difference between PERT and CPM

 

The differences between PERT and CPM are:

 

1. PERT is less concerned with finding the key route of activities and instead employs four-time estimations to estimate how long an activity will take. 

 

CPM employs a single time length and is particularly focused on determining the project's most crucial set of activities.

 

2. PERT is a probabilistic model. On the other hand,  CPM is a deterministic model.

 

PERT focuses on cutting down on the amount of time needed to complete the job. A trade-off between cost and time is the primary focus of CPM, with a strong emphasis on cost-cutting.

 

3. PERT is an event-oriented technique. Whereas, CPM is an activity-oriented technique

 

Benefits of using PERT

 

The PERT approach has a lot of advantages. The following is a list of some of the best:

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Benefits of using PERT

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1. Estimation of time

 

A project manager can learn the estimated completion date of a certain project by utilizing the PERT approach. Three-time estimates are used in the PERT approach. 

 

These are presumably pessimistic and optimistic. A project manager can determine how much time to devote to a particular activity by being aware of these estimations.

 

2. Dependency

 

Another benefit of the PERT approach is that it aids the project manager in understanding which activities are interdependent. Additionally, it gives the team and project manager a clear notion of where to start.

 

Knowing which work has to be finished first allows the project manager to escalate it further. Maintaining the project's order is made easier by understanding how the jobs are interdependent.

 

3. Analyze different paths

 

A project manager who employs the PERT approach may visually assess all the potential time-saving paths. In order to execute the project as efficiently as possible, it aids the project manager.

 

It also helps the project manager to be aware of any dangers or difficulties that may arise from choosing a certain course of action. The project manager may also determine the lengthiest path necessary to accomplish a project thanks to it. Also referred to as the vital path, this route.

 

4. Strategic Planning

 

Using the PERT approach, a project manager may decide which techniques to use and which to forego. Using the PERT approach helps team members learn a lot. Between the project manager and the team members, communication is improved.

 

Through the use of the PERT planning tool, the team members visualize complicated issues and develop several ideas, which they then present to the project manager. As a result, techniques for solving difficult issues are much enhanced.

 

5. Identification of resources

 

A project manager can determine how many resources are required for a particular kind of project by utilizing the PERT approach. The PERT approach uses the graphical representation to depict all the activities and events that make up a project.

 

Therefore, a project manager can know and gather all the resources that a single job may need with the aid of this. It provides the project manager with a rough estimate of the total number of resources required. This will make it easier for the project manager to do a single assignment quickly, cheaply, and without any problems.

 

Project managers may discover activities that are connected to one another and the best times to complete them by utilizing the PERT approach, which is its most significant advantage.

 

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Project managers all over the world utilize PERT as one of their planning tools. PERT assists project managers in gaining a comprehensive understanding of how to plan and manage their projects in terms of resources and timeline.

 

Additionally, by employing the PERT approach, project managers may determine how long work may be delayed in the event of an emergency or difficulty. The PERT approach aids project managers in recognizing the dangers and hazards that may arise throughout a project.